Nikkei 225 Tops 62,000 for First Time as Asia Markets Rally Despite Trump’s Iran Threats

Asian markets recorded a strong surge on Thursday, with Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index breaking a major milestone by climbing above 62,000 points for the first time in history. The rally came as investors largely brushed aside renewed geopolitical tension in the Middle East and focused instead on broader global economic momentum.

The Nikkei 225 jumped more than 5% to close at 62,833.84, driven by strong gains in technology, financial, and basic materials stocks. Heavyweights such as SoftBank Group led the charge with a sharp 18% gain, while semiconductor-related companies including Sumco Corp and Ibiden posted massive double-digit rallies, reflecting renewed investor appetite for tech and manufacturing stocks.

The broader Asia-Pacific region also posted gains. Australia’s ASX 200 rose nearly 1%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index climbed 1.57%, and South Korea’s Kospi advanced 1.43%. Mainland Chinese markets also edged higher, although some smaller indices showed mixed performance, reflecting cautious optimism across the region.

Investor sentiment was shaped in part by geopolitical developments, as former U.S. President Donald Trump issued warnings to Iran, stating that military action could escalate if a peace deal was not reached. However, markets appeared to interpret the situation as leaning toward diplomacy, especially after reports suggested negotiations between Washington and Tehran were still ongoing.

Global oil prices reacted to the tension, with Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate both moving higher. Meanwhile, U.S. stock futures remained relatively stable after Wall Street closed at record highs, underscoring investor confidence despite global uncertainties and reinforcing the strength of the current market rally.

source: cnbc